FIRST FRIDAY Experience an Authentic Missoula Evening

Join us in Downtown Missoula for First Fridays!  Held on the first Friday of every month, businesses showcase an important part of the heart and soul of our community – art! Experience an authentic Missoula evening as you stroll along Downtown’s historic streets where art galleries and local businesses open their doors to feature stunning art exhibits, live music, and special events.

You can also savor exclusive deals and specials at Downtown’s unique retailers and restaurants, making it a perfect night out for friends, families, and art enthusiasts alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to support local artists, enjoy fantastic food, shop at our retailers, and immerse yourself in the creative spirit that makes Downtown Missoula so special.

 

First Friday Special Happenings:

*for more First Friday happenings, visit missoulaevents.org or download the Arts Missoula Directory from Arts Missoula to get First Friday schedules, peruse artistic resources, check out the guide to local artists, and more!

July 2026
  • Artists’ Shop (127 N. Higgins): Artists’ opening reception for Color, Value and Form by Bob Phinney. This mixed media show displays the artist’s journey, defining and manifesting feeling with gel monoprints, capturing the essence of place, space and character with sketchbook studies, and exploring form with wood fired clay vessels created using an atmospheric reduction process. The show runs July 1-31, 2026.
  • Confluence Center (119 W. Main): Artists of Opportunity Resources! Opportunity Resources mission is to support individuals with disabilities in enhancing their quality of life.  Event runs 5-8pm.
  • Cranky Sam Public House (233 W. Main): Get down to Cranky’s to fire up your First Friday! Art from Amanda Krolczyk and music from Small Ax. Come grab a drink, some grub, and a spot on the patio! Music begins at 7pm.
  • Fact & Fiction (220 N. Higgins): Local DJ Adam Christopher playing some sweet soothing electronic tunes while people browse the beauty of books. Event runs 5-8pm.
  • FMC Books (123 W. Main): Join us Friday, July 3 from 4–8 PM for First Friday at FMC Books as we welcome local Missoula artist and illustrator Erin E. Johnson of Fire Sprung Creations. Originally from Helena, Erin draws inspiration from a lifetime spent exploring Montana’s diverse landscapes, communities, animals, and wild places. Her work combines bold graphic forms, playful organic shapes, vibrant color, and storytelling to create whimsical pieces filled with humor, curiosity, and nostalgia. Influenced by folklore, mythology, cartoons, graphic novels, and the wonder of childhood, Erin’s animal-centered artwork celebrates the joy found in life’s small moments. Come browse the exhibit, meet the artist, enjoy some refreshments, and spend an evening surrounded by books, art, and community.
  • Historic Florence (111 N. Higgins): Art. Music. Wine. First Friday at the Historic Florence Building, Downtown Missoula. Event begins at 5pm.
  • Import Market (201 W. Broadway): Join us for First Friday at Import Market from 4–8 PM! Explore the rotating artist galleries and studio spaces upstairs in Emporium Galleries, then bring the whole family for our Kids Karaoke Sing-Along on the 2nd floor. It’s a fun, family-friendly evening celebrating local artists, creativity, and community—all under one historic roof.
  • Lake Missoula Tea Company (136 E. Broadway): Every month from 9-6 pm on First Friday, receive a double punch on your punch card!
  • Leaf + Quiet (235 N. 1st St. W – Suite F): University of Montana Jazz students continue to hone in their skills in this Music Lab hosted by Leaf and Quiet. Enjoy live jazz in the Secret Garden while supporting our UM students, play board games, puzzle, doodle in coloring books and enjoy community in the most magical place in town! Event runs 7-9pm.
  • Local Missoula Walking Tours: Explore downtown Missoula at your own pace with your choice of an Art or History audio walking tour. Discover vibrant murals, sculptures, and unique public art installations, or journey through the city’s past as you visit historic landmarks like the Florence Hotel and learn how Missoula transformed from a bustling railroad center into the modern city it is today. Check out your options at localmissoulatours.com.
  • Missoula Paddleheads (700 Cregg Lane): Free fireworks and fun at Silver Park. The Missoula Paddleheads hosts Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights- a free community celebration for America’s 250th! 5-9 pm.
  • Missoula Senior Center (705 S. Higgins): Friday Food Truck Pod featuring several local food trucks, the Missoula City Band, art, and more. Event begins at 5:30. *note: the food truck pod will be a weekly event every Friday through the summer.
  • Radius Gallery (120 N. Higgins): Boogie on over to Rhythm and Rhyme at Radius Gallery, our newest exhibit with artworks that combine pattern and texture to build visual harmony. . Gallery open 11am-8pm.
  • Run Wild Missoula (125 E. Main): **For the month of July we will be starting at 5:00 PM** Looking to make new connections? Whether you’re searching for a love match, a new best friend, or just someone to share miles with, Sole Mates is designed to bring people together in a fun and low-pressure way. Join us on the first Friday of every month at Caras Park for a relaxed 3.5-mile run followed by snacks and time to mingle. Afterward, you’re welcome to keep the night going and head off to other First Friday shenanigans with your new connections.
  • Sacred Ally (130 E. Broadway): Our incredible team of practitioners will be offering mini-sessions throughout the evening to help you ground, connect, release, and relax.
    Come sample the talented services our practitioners provide, or indulge in a delicious cup of ceremonial-grade cacao. Starting at 7pm, a bumping, monthly, family-friendly dance party for after the art walk, featuring local DJs! This month features DJ Kris Moon.
  • The Clay Studio of Missoula (1106 Hawthorne):
  • The Old Post (103 W. Spruce): Kick off summer with us at The Old Post for our First Friday Summer Patio Party featuring live music from Josh Farmer Band. We’ll have live music outside, an outdoor bar, and food. Music starts in the evening.
  • The Rhino (158 Ryman): Win a $50 bar tab! When you’re done cruising around town on First Friday, stop by for Rhino Ross Art Nite – our coloring contest for a cause. Winner gets a $50 bar tab. $10 entry includes: drink ticket, coloring supplies. $4 of every entry will be donated to The Center. **In addition to our regular lineup, we’ll be serving 0.0% Alt-tails (NA mocktails). And – as always – 50 beers on tap. Event begins at 7pm.
  • The Roxy Theater (718 S. Higgins): Join the Queer West Film Fest team in The Roxy Lounge for snacks, drinks, and a sneak peek at trailers for the upcoming films! Event runs 5-7pm.
  • Zootown Arts Community Center (216 W. Main): Daisy Chain Arts Collective and the Lucha Project Present
    Lucha Lovebomb. Show at 6:30pm *Tickets required

Downtown Galleries

 

Are you a local business or artist looking to participate in First Fridays? Here are some ways you can be a part of the First Friday magic.

  • Businesses: Are you a business looking to host an artist in your location? Connect with Arts Missoula at [email protected]
  • Artists: Are you an artist looking to get your art in a business? Connect with Arts Missoula at [email protected]
  • Members of the Missoula Downtown Association: Participate in any way that works for your business (stay open later, host a special pop-up event, host live music, etc.). For more info on how to participate, email [email protected] or submit your First Friday information HERE.
  • Host a parklet! Also known as pop-up parks, parklets convert on-street parking spaces into temporary people places in support of a friendly environment for people biking and walking. It’s free for Missoula businesses to host a First Friday Parklet so sign up today!  CLICK HERE to get more info and sign up via Missoula in Motion.